Golden Princess - Hawaii - March 2nd, 2011Winnipeg to Los AngelesWe flew Westjet from Winnipeg to Calgary and then on to Los Angeles. Flights were smooth and Immigration in Calgary was fast. We must have won some sort of lottery as all three of our checked luggage came off of the luggage belt at LAX within the first eight bags. Then we were off to get the shuttle to San Pedro.LAX to San PedroWe walked out the door of the terminal and the shuttles are right there at the curb. Both Super Shuttle and Prime Time Shuttle are beside each other. Super Shuttle had a van going to San Pedro right there at the curb and it had space for two more - us. We were loaded and gone within five minutes. Price per person is $17.00. Traffic was light and twenty five minutes later we were at our hotel. Total time elapsed since touchdown - 40 minutes. We couldn't believe this timing.Crowne Plaza - San PedroThe hotel is older but in good shape. Nice pool, workout area and bar/restaurant. The rooms are fairly large - we had asked for and received a King non-smoking. Reviews I have read include that the noise from the hallway can be heard, and yes they are right - but it isn't that bad - unless of course you had a rugby team next to you - and lucky for us that wasn't the case.San Pedro is a sleepy little working town - nice atmosphere and safe environment in the area of the hotel. We walked up 6th away from the port and quickly found the San Pedro Brew Pub. This is an actual pub, not a micro-brewery - locals having a good time. Some of the best wings I have ever had - beer was cold and the wine was not your typical pub wine - was good and there is a selection. Service was fast and friendly.We walked a couple of blocks further up 6th and the Off the Vine wine shop is there. Picked up a couple of bottles of wine - the owner is knowledgeable but not a wine snob. Gave some good tips about restaurants, etc. The wines are for the most part, local California boutique types - not commercial ones.Around the corner is a grocery/market.Then a walk down beside the bay out to the Port of Call restaurant - nice atmosphere along the water.We spent the evening at the Crowne lounge, and again, very friendly service staff.Breakfast was at Grinders - a block towards the port and over one towards the ship. Food was good and again the server was excellent.EmbarkationWe went down to the lobby at 1130 and immediately caught the complimentary hotel shuttle to the port - maybe five minutes and we were going through security. From shuttle to stateroom - fifteen minutes tops - although we do have priority embarkation with Platinum status. It didn't look like there were big groups of people waiting though.Room - Category AA - Dolphin Deck - Mid-Ship Mini-SuiteWe were in D518. It is a typical mini-suite with lots of closet and drawer space. With the refurbishment it now has two flat screen televisions. As usual though - there is a minimum of plugins - therefore if you have an assortment of electronics you may wish to bring a power bar.One true upgrade though is the bed. The mattress is now firm, but has a nice soft top, rather than the hard mattress you usually get with Princess. Princess got this right with the refurbishment. The balcony is of course typical - four chairs and a table - good size. Yes it is open but we prefer that since we like the sun.The room now also has a card which lists three different types of pillows - feather, non-allergenic, and postrapedic.Room StewardD518 - Orlando was our room steward and he has twenty years of service with Princess - and it shows. Very knowledgeable and friendly - lots of jokes. Did everything we asked and more.Ship ConditionThe ship is in pretty good condition with the refurbishment. Everything seems to be working and we certainly didn't have any complaints.The PiazzaThis is the best that we have seen on any of the Princess ships. It is now pretty much opened up and the various venues are set up much better. Vines is very nice and inviting, not cramped like on other ships. The International Cafe is the same. All the staff are friendly and accommodating.Pursers DeskVery good service when we needed anything. The one thing I don't get is why they don't have the computer off to the side like on the Sapphire/Coral (can't remember which one) where you can go and view your own billing information. That takes a lot of the strain off the desk personnel.InternetWith Platinum you get 250 free minutes per person - this is a nice perk. As already indicated we were on the Dolphin deck and we had excellent wireless Internet. One thing though is that the wireless does not work outside on the balcony. The other was that the day after we departed Hawaii back to Los Angeles we had very slow service and for portions of the day - it was unavailable due to over usage - no doubt this because everyone was trying to let those at home know that there was no problem with the ship due to the tsunami in Japan and the resultant wave that hit Hawaii and the west coast of the US.LibraryLibrary is very cramped and supply is limited. I believe that that could have done a better job on this.Fitness FacilityThe gym is set up well but lacks some of the equipment of other ships. Twelve treadmills and an assortment of recumbent bikes and ellipticals. While busy, it wasn't too bad. Only thing is that people don't understand gym etiquette - sit on a machine even if they aren't using it, etc. One day two guys set up the gym like a circuit and seemed to want to hog everything for themselves. - obviously they would get an earful if they were at a gym anywhere else. The staff doesn't seem too concerned unless they are selling something.BuffetWe only use the buffet for breakfast since we use the Trident Grill and Pizzeria for lunch and the dining room for our evening meal. We did walk through at other times and it has been set up better than before. For breakfast the omelette station is in the middle and they take orders and make them in the kitchen. You can also ask for eggs any way you would like them. The other improvement is that there are toasters at both ends of the Horizon Court which reduces the confusion.All that said, I would have to agree with others that the Horizon Court food at the rest of the meal periods is not overly inviting.Dining - Bernini & DonatelloWe ate at table 71 in the Bernini each evening - Christi is the Head Waiter, Wimol the Waiter and John the Assistant Waiter. Excellent service and choice of food. How anyone can complain is beyond me. Christi made us specialties some nights and Wimol always had great suggestions, or made the asked for adjustments to the menu when requested.A cautionary note for anyone with any mobility problems is there are steps up and down into the various sections of the restaurant. Although something that we never even think about, we saw older guests trip and fall just about every night. The staff are always reminding the guests, but some just don't listen or understand. International CafeThe idea is simple and this has been a great addition to the ships. Service was always friendly and of course the cookies are always great........but of course addictive.Vines Wines BarIn our opinion - this venue has been upgraded immensely from other ships. It is nicely appointed and the staff once again know their job and make a glass of wine an event. See Ryan or Henry - they will set you up.Trident Grill/Prego PizzaWe eat all of our lunches here and these venues are as advertised. Great, friendly staff who will do whatever they can to make your day enjoyable.PoolsPretty much standard - although with this cruise - since there is only 23 children aboard are quite quiet. The hot tubs off the fitness area are by far the cleanest and hottest of the ones on board.EntertainmentI agree with others that the entertainment on the ships has declined over the past several years. The comediennes, depending on the individual were funny, or not so funny (Noodles) - and unfortunately the Movies Under the Stars were chilly to sit out and watch on the first couple of days.Day 1Very foggy and cloudy - gave way to sun in the afternoon - high of about 63 F. Not great but not bad either.Day 2Cloudy in the early morning, then sunny, then back to cloudy in the afternoon - high of 67 F.This was the first formal evening and also the Champagne Waterfall in the Piazza was at 7:15 pm.Day 3Full on cloud first thing in the morning but burned off by 10:00 am. High of 74 F. This morning we also moved the clocks back one hour. By midday it was quite nice out.Day 4The day was cloudy and had periods of drizzle - but it had warmed up and was around 75 degrees.HonoluluWe have been to Oahu many times and we have favourite things to do when we are there. This time we took the bus - off the ship and down to the right you catch the "E" Bus into Waikiki and then transferred to the 22 to Diamond Head . Walked the summit (takes about 30 minutes) and then when we were back down we walked into Waikiki along Diamond Head Road around the crater. In for a beer and wings at Dukes on the Beach. Basically it was an easy day and then back to the ship by around 8:30.KauaiWe rented a vehicle with another couple from the ship and first went to a couple of waterfalls - the first pretty nice and the second not so much. Then up to the North Shore to see some beaches and then retraced our steps and then up to Waimea. It is 14 miles up and takes about half an hour but you have a great view from the top. Then back to the ship.MauiWe have been to Maui many times and so we just walked around Lahaina and then took the Shuttle ($1.00 per person) to Whalers Village in Kaanapali - hint - get three couples together and take a cab - $15.00. The shuttle takes forever and is full beyond being comfortable.HiloWe rented another vehicle and drove up to Volcano National Park. We walked the lava tubes and then off to the Black Sand Beach - about another half hour away from Hilo. We saw sea turtles in the sand and walked the beach. Then back to Volcano Village by the park for lunch - great place and very good food - a little eclectic - nothing you would expect. Then back to the ship since we didn't have any time to go to Akaki Falls.Day 9Cloudy first thing in the morning and then got sunny - high of around 75 degrees. Some roll to the ship but not rough at all.Day 10 Again cloudy first thing and then sunny - cloud rolled back in around 4:00 pm. High around 70 degrees. Calm seas today.Day 11Very nice day - wind was minimal and the skies sunny except for about twenty minutes around 3:00 pm when we had clouds and 15 drops of rain. Most left the sun decks and right afterward the sun came back out and was great - high about 67 degrees. A little roll to the seas but minimal.Day 12Sunny once again - but only a high of about 61 degrees.EnsenadaHigh of 69 degrees in Ensenada - arrived about 2:00 pm. We didn't get off so really can't review the port.Dis-EmbarkationWe arrived at San Pedro at 0630 am. Dis-embarkation was orderly and we were off the ship and on the shuttle without any problems. We took Super Shuttle without a reservation and we were at LAX 45 minutes after leaving the ship.Our overall experience - The Golden Princess is a notch above the other ships in the Princess Fleet. Why do I say that? Because the staff are that much more attentive and the food is that much better. The personnel should be commended for all they do for the passengers. Great job.